More pictures here.

Mon, July 26th, at La Casita de Don Pedro, 2620 W. Division, 4pm

In 1999, 11 Puerto Rican Political Prisoners were released due to the pressure exerted by an international campaign. The National Boricua Human Rights Network helped lead that campaign, and the United Church of Christ played a leading role in mobilizing interfaith support. The Netowrk has worked tirelessly since that historic occasion worked for the freedom of the remaining Puerto Rican Political Prisoners, and Carlos’ release is a victory for us all. We hope to raise $15,000 in pledges by July 19.

We are asking supporters to pledge their support to Carlos Alberto Torres with a donation:

1) Donate directly through PayPal. Click on the “donate” button on the right column.

2) If you cannot donate electronically, click on the “Carlos Alberto Re-entry Fund” page and fill out the form. A member of National Boricua Human Rights Network will follow up with you about submitting your donation to us. Here is the submission information, also available on the Re-entry Fund page:

Please make checks out to NBHRN and write “CAT reentry fund in the memo.” Mail to National Boricua Human Rights Network, 2739 W. Division St, Chicago, IL 60622, c/o Michelle Morales

Several of those arrested in 1985 and 1986  negotiated a plea agreement with the U.S., admitting that while the U.S. thought their actions were criminal, they were acting in support of the independence of Puerto Rico. Avelino stuck a similar plea agreement, and on May 26, the court sentenced him to 7 years in prison, as well as to restitution of the money, for the charges of foreign transportation of stolen money and conspiracy to rob federally insured bank funds.

Several family members including his wife and sons, as well as political supporters, were present for the sentencing.

Two others alleged to have participated in the action, Víctor Gerena and Norberto González Claudio, Avelino’s brother, are still wanted by the F.B.I.

Having been in custody since February of 2008, Avelino will serve an additional two and a half years— significant, given that this 67 year old man was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease during his time in jail. The government has not disclosed which prison he will be assigned to.

Resources:
José A. Delgado, “Siete años de cárcel contra preso político: Fue sentenciado por el robo a la Wells Fargo, El Nuevo Día, May 27, 2010,
http://www.elnuevodia.com/sieteanosdecarcelcontrapresopolitico-711913.html;

Rosita Marrero, “Siete años de prisión por participar de robo a la Wells Fargo,” Primera Hora, May 26, 2010,
http://www.primerahora.com/sieteanosdeprisionporparticiparderoboalawellsfargo-389751.html;

Stephanie Reitz, AP, “EEUU: 7 años de cárcel a puertorriqueño por robo a camión,” El Nuevo Herald, May 26, 2010,
http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2010/05/26/728863/eeuu-7-anos-de-carcel-a-puertorriqueno.html.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons [BOP] has turned down requests that Puerto Rican political prisoner Oscar López Rivera be allowed an emergency furlough, to travel to the bedside of his sister, Clara López Rivera, in intensive care in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

The BOP claims that López does not meet the criteria, that a prisoner can have no more than two years left to serve on his sentence to be eligible. In refusing to exercise discretion to grant the requests from López’ attorney, the National Boricua Human Rights Network and the Human Rights Committee of Puerto Rico for this humanitarian relief, the BOP ignores more than 1,000 letters of support from the U.S. and Puerto Rico, collected in just 48 hours. It also ignores the fact that if López had accepted the terms of president Clinton’s 1999 clemency offer, he would have been released last September.

While the denial is consistent with the BOP’s history of abusive treatment of López and other Puerto Rican political prisoners, there is precedent for such furloughs: in 1977, Nationalist prisoners Lolita Lebrón and Rafael Cancel Miranda were both allowed to attend funerals of immediate family members, with many years yet to serve on their lengthy sentences.

During this stressful moment, López’ only contact with his family is through telephone, and he must measure each call, as he has limited access to the phone. His older sister Clara has been a formative force in his life. It now appears unlikely that she will live long enough to enjoy life with her little brother upon his release from prison.

Messages of support can be sent to him at:

Oscar López Rivera
87651-024
FCI Terre Haute
Box 33
Terre Haute, IN 47808

The National Boricua Human Rights Network and the Human Rights Committee of Puerto Rico have the great and historic pleasure of announcing that Puerto Rican political prisoner Carlos Alberto Torres, after serving 30 years in U.S. prisons for his commitment to the independence of his nation, will be released on parole in July of this year, to reside in Puerto Rico.

This historic release is due to Carlos Alberto’s maintaining his integrity and commitment throughout three decades behind bars, and to the support of the people of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican communities in the U.S., as well as those who support human rights throughout the world. This broad support was key in winning his release, and he is looking forward to expressing his gratitude in person.

For no legitimate reason, he was made to serve almost 11 years more than his compatriots who were released in 1999, when president Clinton deemed their sentences to be disproportionately lengthy. The United States stands out as the country whose political prisoners serve among the longest sentences in the world.

Two Puerto Rican political prisoners remain in U.S. custody. Oscar López Rivera, who this month will mark his 29th year in prison, is not scheduled for release until 2023; and Avelino González Claudio, who this month will be sentenced to a term not to exceed 7 years. While planning the celebration of Carlos Alberto’s release, the National Boricua Human Rights Network and the Human Rights Committee of Puerto Rico will continue to work for the release of both remaining political prisoners.

Contacts:

in the U.S.: Alejandro Molina 312/296-7210

in Puerto Rico: Eduardo Villanueva 787/612-7840

Across the US and in Puerto Rico, over a dozen events attended by hundreds commemorated the 30th anniversary of the April 4th, 1980 arrests of the Puerto Rican political prisoners in Evanston, IL. In Chicago, the National Boricua Human Rights Network sponsored the Jornada 360 culminating event, which was preceeded by 15 days by the Cell Project, where 15 volunteers stayed for 24 hours in a 6 x 9 replica of an actual cell, installed at Cafe Batey Urbano. Begining the week before, volunteers and members of the Network began the laborous task of decorating the Batey Urbano with 30 years worth of campaign literature, posters, books and press clippings. Pictures of the Chicago prisoners and the event can be found at http://www.flickr.com/nbhrn.

The Saturday program began with a memorable series of reflections by former political prisoners Alicia Rodriguez, Luis Rosa and Ricardo Jiménez, all of whom spent 20 years in prison before being released by President Clinton in 1999 and the latter who had just been “freed” after spending 24 hours in the cell as the last of 15 volunteers. The entire audience joined in singing happy birthday to Ricardo, who received 3 birthday cakes! After a welcome and introduction by Network Co-cordinator Michelle Morales, the program proceeded with participants walking through the interactive exhibit, which included a historical montage of newsclippings and original pictures of the past 30 years including footage of the demonstration at Evanston police station on April 5, 1980 and a PSA produced last month calling on supporters to download and sign the letter to the parole commission on Carlos Alberto’s behalf. In addition, 20 people, including family and supporters of the campaign as well as some of the young people who were prisoners in the cell project, reflected on their experiences during the 30 years and re-voiced their commitment to free Carlos Alberto and Oscar. In a surprise presentation, compañera Irma Romero received a print of a Luis Rosa painting of Ramón Emeterio Betances,  Michelle Morales received a framed silkscreen print of Lucecita Benitez painted by Oscar López as a fund-raiser of the 50th anniversary of Claridad and Jaime and Lucy Delgado and Alejandro Luis Molina received paintings of themselves by Oscar, all for their commitment to the campaign through the decades.